Software Developer salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Software Developers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $166,090 a year ($79.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 42,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,100 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $165,210. There are 16 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $162,440, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| 25th percentile | $131,880 | $63.40 |
| Median | $166,090 | $79.85 |
| 75th percentile | $183,740 | $88.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,100 | $102.93 |
| Average (mean) | $162,440 | $78.10 |
Half of software developers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,840.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,920.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,388.08 |
| Weekly | $3,194.04 |
| Hourly | $79.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $162,090 | 4,370 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $154,860 | 280 |
| Worcester, MA | $146,950 | 1,800 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $133,690 | 210 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $130,690 | 5,020 |
| Springfield, MA | $127,740 | 650 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $126,670 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | $129,180 | $62.11 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $116,770 | $56.14 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Computer Network Architect | $160,650 | $77.24 |
| Information Security Analyst | $136,550 | $65.65 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $121,230 | $58.29 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $122,270 | $58.79 |
| Database Architect | $161,650 | $77.72 |
| Database Administrator | $132,370 | $63.64 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $88,950 | $42.76 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $170,510 | $81.97 |
| Computer Programmer | $128,900 | $61.97 |
| Web Developer | $108,520 | $52.17 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for software developers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $166,090 a year, or $79.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of software developers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $214,100 a year. The top 25% earn $183,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,950 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $131,880 or less.
How many software developers work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 42,310 software developers are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.